Snap-on universal gutter clip



1961 E. A. SERFASS SNAP-ON UNIVERSAL GUTTER CLIP Filed Jan. 19, 1960 INVENTOR. EDGAR A. SERFASS JMN Unite The present invention relates to gutter screens for protection of gutters from collection of foreign material therein, and more particularly to an improved clip for attaching the gutter screen to the gutter.

While gutter screens and fastening means for attaching such screens to gutters have long been known to the art, they have, in general, suffered from certain deficiencies. For example, most prior art clips tended to rotate under load, such as results from accumulations of snow and ice, thus lifting, or even freeing and throwing off the gutter screen, thus permitting the entry of leaves and other debris into the gutter. Still other prior clips were suitable only for use of one type of gutter, e.g., the conventional half-round type or the conventional box type. Still another deficiency noted of prior art devices is their difficulty of installation.

LAS will be fully explained hereinafter, the present invention overcomes these and still other deficiencies of the prior art devices.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is the pro vision of novel means whereby the gutter screen is flexibly secured to the outer edge of the gutter.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved gutter screen and fastening means which is easily positioned on a. gutter for secure positioning thereon.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be pointed out with particularity, or will become obvious from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with parts in section showing the gutter screen secured on a gutter.

FIGURES 2(a) and 2(b) are front and side elevational views, respectively, of the clip of this invention.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing a rounded form of gutter and a gutter screen secured thereto; and

FIGURE 5 is a detailed special view taken substantially along the plane of line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral designates generally the gutter screen of the present invention which is to be employed in connection with the first form of gutter 12 which is secured beneath the overhanging portion 14 of the room R onto the wall W of the building structure. It will be noted that shingle S covers one edge of the gutter screen. Optionally, the screen may overlie the shingle.

Referring to FIGURES 2(a) and 2(1)), there is shown the novel clip of this invention. The clip 20 comprises a leg portion .A, a circular loop portion B, hairpin shaped portion C, and hairpin shaped portion D. Portions A, B, and C are formed from a continuous strip of metal and are contiguous to each other. 10 which is employed with the gutter 12 is comprised of a screen 24 of suitable mesh. A preferred mesh size is M4 1: A". The longitudinal edges of the screen 10 may be bound by reinforcing means 26, which include elongated U-shaped strips which embrace the longitudinal edge of the screen 24, as best seen in FIGURE 3. The use of binding on the longitudinal edges of the screen is a mere matter of choice.

The means for resiliently securing the outer reinforcing The gutter screen means States Patent 7' Patented Aug. 29, 1961 ice means 26 to the outer edge 22 of the gutter 12, includes the clip 20 of FIGURE 2.

The means by which the clip 20 secures gutter screen means 10 to the gutter 12 is brought out in FIGURE 3. It will be noted that the outer diameter of circular portion B bears against the gutter at points 30 and 31 when subjected to a load in the direction shown by the arrow. The screen 12 is secured by hairpin loop D and the gutter 12 fits betweenthe outer wall of circular portion B and hairpin loop D. The engagement of loop C against the flange of the gutter at point 29 prevents further movement of the screen.

The invention is shown as applied to a screen of the half-round type in FIGURES 4 and 5. The same clip 20 is employed. When employed to secure the screen to a box type gutter, the outer portion of the circular. section B is clamped against the inner wall of the gutter; when employed for mounting on half-round type gutters 21, the inner surface of the circular portion B clamps to the outer wall of the gutter. It will be noted that leg A seats against the gutter so as to securely lock it into place. This feature is extremely important under conditions of ice and snow loading when conventional fastening means have been known to fail because of rotation of the prior art type of clip. The curved portion of the leg A acts as a block to prevent rotation. When the screen is under load the elongated hairpin portion C acts against the inner wall of the gutter to securely hold the screen in place, preventing any forward movement.

Another advantage provided by the leg A is that it serves as a convenient means for opening the clip for insertion of a half-round type of gutter. This is of key importance to installers working in the precarious positions necessitated by the usual gutter location.

Another important advantage of the present clip means is that it makes it feasible to ship prefabricated units in a kit, including a supply of clips, without the need for separately providing special clips for a particular type of installation.

Another important advantage and feature of the present invention is that it may be installed without the use of tools. This is a distinct advantage over prior art installation means requiring the use of tools. The need for tools is undesirable, particularly under the conditions of installation wherein the installer is required to operate from ladders. The use of the presently disclosed clip simplifies and greatly increases the speed of installation, thereby reducing the installation cost when accomplished by professional installers. Further, the simplicity of installation makes it feasible for the inexperienced householder to make a proper installation.

Another prior art type gutter screen employs a clip which is permanently attached to the gutter screen. This has the disadvantage of not permitting the positioning of the clip in a preferred location. The importance of this may be appreciated by considering the normal method of attachment of a gutter to the building structure. It is common practice to use long spikes extending through the gutter into the building and, in general, the gutter is inwardly deformed at the point of attachment. This results in undulations in the outer edge of the gutter, as viewed from above. If the attached clip happens to be located at the point of attachment, it will not normally be useable because of the distortion of the gutter. Also, it is often necessary to cut the screen sections for purposes of fitting, and this frequently results in the trimming off of the clip-holding portion together with the clip.

On the other hand, it will be noted by reference to the cross-sectional showing of FIGURES 3 or 5 that hairpin portion D provides a tolerance for attaching the screen even if the gutter is pushed inward. The latter condition is shown in the illustrations.

Another important advantage of the clip of this invention is that the gutter screen may be positioned independently of the clip and then the clip later inserted in place. This results in faster and neater installations.

&1itable clip materials include spring tempered, Zincplated steel, cadmium-plated steel, stainless steel, and tempered aluminum. It is preferred to employ soft steel which is then spring tempered, after fabrication into the clip form. After tempering the steel is plated to resist corrosion. Still other materials may be employed as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

It is preferred that one clip be employed foot of screen.

Having thus disclosed the best embodiment of my invention presently contemplated, What is claimed is:

1. A clip adapted tobe removably attached to a gutter screen and to a gutter for securing the screen to the gutter, comprising: a strip of springy-sheet-material formed into a first hairpin loop portion for clamping onto said screen; a second hairpin loop portion having a first leg aflixed at rightangles to said first loop portion and extending away therefrom and a contiguous second leg extending toward said first loop portion; and a tubular loop portionextending from the end of said second leg away from said second hairpin loop portion first leg and per running terminating adjacent to said second leg in a contiguous member extending away from said tubular portion, said contiguous member serving for opening the clip for installation and for preventing rotation of the clip after installation.

2. A clip for ataching gutter screens to gutters comprising: a strip of springy-sheet-material bent to form in series cascade connection, a first straight portion, a reverse loop portion, a second straight portion parallel to the first portion, a third straight portion about twice the length of said first portion, at right angles to said second portion, a reverse loop portion, a fourth straight portion parallel to said third straight portion, a tubular portion abreast of said second portion looping around toward said fourth portion, a reverse loop portion, and a leg portion at an angle to said fourth portion for preventing rotation of the clip when mounted on a gutter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,745,548 Lerner Feb. 4, 1930 2,365,845 Schweda Dec. 26, 1944 2,734,467 Steele Feb. 14, 1956 2,810,173 Bearden Oct. 22, 1957 

